Platinum Member

Senior Member

I recently overhauled my old 14x5" Acrolite and replaced the P85 with.....a new P85. I know I know, lots of people hate it, but this new one has been perfect so far. It's much improved over the older models. It now has thicker gauge steel and a spring to keep the knob from loosening.

The main reason I went with the authentic replacement is because of looks, as silly as that sounds. The P86 is a nice strainer, but the design language is so different...it just doesn't match IMO. And in all honesty the P88AC doesn't quite match the design aesthetic either, but it comes much closer to matching than the P86.

I've never used a Dunnett R4L, but I've read they're nice. My only issue is how bulky it is. It hangs out pretty far and looks heavy as well.

Senior Member

The R4L is a first-class throw-off. The design, operation and fit & finish are impeccable, and the swivel-lever and quick-release features can be handy. If you don’t need the latter features though, it is a bit bulky and the P88AC might be more appropriate.

I replaced a P85 on a LM400 with a P88AC when they were first released in April of 2018 and it has operated flawlessly since. Smooth and solid execution, and IMO Ludwig’s best throw-off to date. And as far as styling, the P88AC would certainly be a closer match than the R4L.

The P88AC also comes with a newly designed butt-plate, the P35. If you need/plan to use it, keep in mind that only the holes for the P33 spacing are threaded. If replacing a P32, you’ll need to tap those holes for a #8-32 thread. No complete tap & die set is required, just a single inexpensive tap available at most hardware stores.

Gold Member

The Dunnett R4L is a really nice strainer. I have three Dunnett snares and no issues whatsoever with the throw offs.
That being said I wouldn't overlook the INDE strainer. It's sleek and simple and it works. It has more of the Ludwig vibe with none of the headaches.

Official DW Chief Transcriber

"Uncle Larry"

The Dunnett...meh. I'll have a go at it. IMO it's bulky and I don't like the curve of the handle. To me a handle should curve towards me, not away from me. Or be flat. Pushing on the upper outside of an arc to engage the strainer seems backwards to me. Not ergonomic.

If anyone likes the P-85, for my money, the Pearl version of the P-85 is great. It doesn't stick out, has little bulk, and it holds beautifully. And so affordable.

Personally, I like the perpendicular action of the P-86, over the parallel action to the shell of the P-85. The Dunnett will do both, or anywhere in between. Just lock it where you like it. That's it's best feature. But the handle curve, which to me translates to it's ergonomic feel, and it's bulk, which translates to ergonomics too, ruins it for me. These drum engineering people need to understand that all unnecessary weight is supposed to be eliminated from drums, not added. Hello!

The force needed to engage the strainer is too much too, IMO. My Guru strainer can be engaged with one fingertip, no thumb, because of leverage. Try that on the stupidly designed, short, thick stubby Dunnett handle. That's bent in the wrong direction ha ha. If you like your snares tight, it's a pretty hard squeeze IMO to engage it. Sweaty hands on smooth chrome anyone? Hello? THINK!

"Uncle Larry"

The P-86 is a great strainer. Feather light, low profile, But man is it ugly to me. Doesn't matter, functionality first, which it excels at. I wouldn't call it bulletproof or solid. Which is why I like it, it's not overbuilt. Treat it fairly and it's great. It's my 2nd favorite operating strainer, with the no longer made Guru strainer first.

Lightning fast, one finger operation, gnarly knurled adjustment cylinder. The lever has to be disengaged, but it's lightning fast. The proprietary screws were a bad choice on the lever. They were small and short with a small allen key head that sucked and I lost mine. In my house no less. The screws for the strap holder were a little weak too I thought. But I found "normal" replacement screws that worked in both cases. THINK!

Platinum Member

Is the the Dunnett strainer the same as a Q strainer? Someone recommended the 'Q' strainer to me and I have no idea what that is.
Though I do I have a P-86 on a Ludwig snare that works nicer than the stock P-85 it had.